Puccini : Le Triptyque. Gallo, Westbroek, Antonenko, Jaho, Larsson, Pappano.

   in Opera Now (Sep, 2012)
How to make a cohesive whole of Puccini’s three contrasting pieces? Director Richard Jones manages it with clear narrative and brilliant performances from his cast, and detailed and stylish sets courtesy of Ultz. Il tabarro is played straight, and Eva-Maria Westbroek emotes tremendously as Giorgetta, as does Lucio Gallo as Michele. Aleksandrs Antonenko pours out some thrilling tone as Luigi. Suor Angelica is more stylised, with its nuns nursing in a children’s ward, and Ermonela Jaho’s exquisite singing and intense personality ensure that maximum pathos is drawn from the title role – this is a truly great performance matched by an equally excellent supporting cast. Gallo returns as Gianni Schicchi, a …